Universals Horror Nights

[buzz for boys]

Has anyone been to this??
I know that the kids are far too young for it so have looked at kids clubs at the Universal resorts but Im a bit confused as to how it actally works??

Am i right in thinking you basically line up to walk through stage props???
If we go do we need to buy the express passes to make the most of our time or is manageable without??
I have a vision of walk into stage area - get scared witless - walk out - join another line to repeat process ???

Putting kids into a kids club means we get 4-5 hours to do the horror night and the grand cost will be just short of $300 just for childcare. Is the experience of the horor night that good or will we regret not waiting a few years until kids can be left on their own ???

Any advice will be appreciated as I just dont think ive got the right idea of this "Party" at all!!

Louise xxx

 

[joolz1910]

I would love to do this! I think there are 'houses' and mazes that you go through and characters wandering around scaring the life out of you. I will wait until my eldest can be left to babysit my other two kids as the childcare cost is so expensive.

 

[mantismad]

Has anyone been to this??
I know that the kids are far too young for it so have looked at kids clubs at the Universal resorts but Im a bit confused as to how it actally works??

Am i right in thinking you basically line up to walk through stage props???
If we go do we need to buy the express passes to make the most of our time or is manageable without??
I have a vision of walk into stage area - get scared witless - walk out - join another line to repeat process ???

Putting kids into a kids club means we get 4-5 hours to do the horror night and the grand cost will be just short of $300 just for childcare. Is the experience of the horor night that good or will we regret not waiting a few years until kids can be left on their own ???

Any advice will be appreciated as I just dont think ive got the right idea of this "Party" at all!!

Louise xxx

We have done this 3 times and we LOVE it. The park is closed late afternoon and all those that have Halloween Horror night tickets are allowed to stay in the park but in a small holding area whilst they set up all the props etc., Once the scenes are set you are then released from the holding area in advance of all the other guests that are waiting outside that did not purchase a daytime ticket. This gives you a head start on all the lines for the Halloween houses. There are usually about 7 houses all different scarey themes that you walk through in a line. As you walk from one house to another you walk through or just wander around outside scarezones that are equally as frightening, ghouls, goons and monstrous brutes wander around or just appear through the mist . Some of the main rides are usually open such as Spider Man, Hulk coaster, dueling dragons etc. As for if it is worth you buying the express ticket that may depend on your choice of day to go, finances as it is very expensive, and also if you will be getting a head start by being in the park in the day and entering from the holding area thereby getting a head start on others. We have always done both and never regretted it as the lines do get very long especially once the main gate is opened. It is tiring especially if you are in the park during the daytime as well and so with the express ticket it does save the long waits in line and made it so much more enjoyable for us.

 

[Chris and Pooh]

We started going in the late nineties and it was superb and great for the family even though my DD's were just into their teens and there would be a parade with beads and sweets thrown out to the crowd. But and this IMHO the event has changed massively over the last few years and seems only to want to cater for those in their teens and twenties with massive lines taking up to 2 hours to get through one fright event. Beer and shots are sold as you stand in line with alcohol having its undesirable effect on groups of youngsters as the evening progressed. The express passes are prohibitively expensive if you are going as a family and as a consequence you will be suffering long periods of standing in line. The parts of the park where you stroll through are still very good with characters jumping out unexpectedly but overall I would not waste my money. In fact I went so far as to complain to Universal about my last halloween horror nights visit, and they reimbursed me.

 

[buzz for boys]

Thanks for the replies guys! I love it when you get mixed opinions!!
I cant do the entry into the park before it officially opens as the kids clubs open at 16.30 and from what I have read you need to be in the park for just before 17.00 for this to work and I think i will be pushing that after dropping them off and dont want to be paying childcare to stand in line to get in!! IYSWIM

We were thinking of going on the very first night (23rd Sept) I guess this is one of the quietest nights??

Again thanks for the replies xxx